Forgiveness

Forgiveness—Receiving and Rejecting
Matthew 18:24-35

The unforgiving person is plagued with guilt and resentment, he lives in a prison house where he finds himself tortured by all manner of inner emotional conflicts.

Forgiven in Full

The absurdity of grace.

Thought: To the unforgiven and unforgiving, God is like a harsh task master. (vs. 31-35)

Debts - “I ought to.” “I owe it.”

Causes for Inner Conflicts

Failure to receive forgiveness.

Failure to give forgiveness.

How does an unforgiving spirt develop?

We get wounded.

We become confused.

We desire to avoid pain.

We become defeated.

We become discouraged.

Consequences?

The Holy Spirit is grieved.

We are left alone.

The Cure

Recognize that you have been forgiven—the cross.

Illustration: Joseph and his brothers

Don't let anyone know what someone said about you or did to you.

Don't allow anyone to be afraid of you or intimidated by you.

We will let them save face.

We will pray for them to be blessed.